Blind Sheffield photographer to ‘see’ image again

Family and friends of a photographer who lost his sight due to cancer have rallied to enable him to ‘see’ his work again.

In days, they raised the 3,075 euros needed to produce a touchable Braille-style version of one of Clive Egginton’s images.

Clive Egginton's photograph of Dave Howe is being turned into a tactile image

And, as the money continues to flood in, they now plan an innovative exhibition so Clive’s work can be enjoyed by visually impaired and sighted people.

Clive, aged 55, from Crosspool, a senior lecturer in photography at Leeds Metropolitan University, was diagnosed with brain cancer earlier this year. In the four weeks it took for a radiotherapy mask to be made, he lost his vision - and a direct link with his passion.

He read about Juan Torre, a Spanish photographer, who has six per cent vision but continued to enjoy photography by adapting his technique. He has developed Braille-style tactile photographs that can be interpreted via touch.

Stuart said: “Up until then, at any mention of photography Clive would refuse to talk about it or become emotional.

“When I told him about Juan Torre, for the first time he became enthused and interested in photography again.”

Within five days enough money was raised to turn Clive’s image of Sheffield boxer Dave Howe into a tactile image.

Clive now wants to make his art and photography available to a wider audience and an exhibition is planned, involving colleagues at Archive-Sheffield, Leeds Met Uni and groups of visually impaired people he has worked with. The RNIB is providing tactile images.

Clive’s wife Wendy praised the care he received from Weston Park Hospital.

“Stuart has been fantastic and Clive’s been very moved by the support he has had from so many people.”